Sermons on Occasional:

Life Is Like A Baseball Game

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 19, 2002

The Cal Ripken Jr. World Series of baseball has invaded Mattoon, IL, and life is somewhat similar to a baseball game.

LIFE IS LIKE A BASEBALL GAME I Cor. 9:25 "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." INTRO.- ILL.- In the popular 1994 movie "Forrest Gump," Forrest with an IQ of 74 said, "Mama ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Remembering, Honoring, Trusting

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 9, 2002

In the light of Septmember 11, 2001, we must remember, honor, and trust.

Remembering, Honoring, Trusting INTRO.- ILL.- One man said to his friend: "Say, you look depressed. What are you thinking about?" "My future," was the quick answer. "What makes it look so hopeless?" "My past." Our past does tend to "taint" or affect our future. Good, bad or otherwise. Our ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Church That Serves Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Mar 5, 2008

Congregations are not spiritual spas. They’re places where needs are met and people are served.

SERIES: “LESSONS FROM THE EARLY CHURCH” TEXT: ACTS 6:1-7 TITLE: “A CHURCH THAT SERVES” OPEN: A. A number of years ago, a team of white-jacketed scientists marched with clipboards in hand into the barnyard and sat down outside the chicken coop. They were there to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Anguish In The Flame Series

Contributed by Matthew Grise on Feb 13, 2009

Luke 16:19-31. In this parable, Jesus describes the fate that awaits those who perish in their sins.

ONE MINUTE AFTER YOU DIE HEAVEN, HELL, & WHO WILL GO WHERE SELECTED SCRIPTURES ANGUISH IN THE FLAME LUKE 16:19-31 INTRODUCTION - Today we embark on an intriguing journey. We are going to attempt; hopefully with some success; to consider a subject that is at the very core of our existence. We are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

A Prayer To Grow On Series

Contributed by Allen Calkins on Nov 24, 2009

It is essential that Christians remain committed to growing in the Lord in order to have the impact we are intended to have in the world.

A Prayer to Grow On Colossians 1:9-14 INTRODUCTION When it comes to matters of faith, how good is good enough for you? What is your goal in the Christian life? Is your goal to be the best believer you can be for the glory of God? Obviously, our Lord’s desire is for us to continue to grow and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Does God Find Us Delightful Or Disgusting?

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jul 31, 2012

Only a fool is unaffected by what affects God.

Title: Does God Find Us Delightful or Disgusting? Text: Psalm 14 Thesis: Only a fool is unaffected by what affects God. Introduction I confess, I am still feeling the bleakness of the tragic mass shooting in Aurora last week. This text is a bleak text for those who live and act without regard to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Romans--The Credits

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Oct 26, 2009

In closing out a series on the last part of the Letter to the Church at Rome, this sermon examines Paul’s use of personal names and how they tie to some of the themes of the book.

The Name Game Text: Romans 16:1-27 How many of you like to watch the credits at the end of a movie? Wailam gets disgusted with me because I have a tendency to want to stay to the end of the credits in order to find out who performed a particular song used in the soundtrack, to ascertain the general ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:1-27

Denomination: *other

The Cross Of Commitment... The Paradox Of Following Christ Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 25, 2012

Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who despise their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Title: The Cross of Commitment… the Paradox of Following Christ. Text: John 12:20-33 Thesis: Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who despise their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Introduction It is always an interesting question: If you could ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Healthy Attitudes For A Spiritual Community Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 23, 2005

Expository sermon dealing with attitudes toward one another, circumstances, and the Holy Spirit in the life of the church. Clip from movie "Ice Age" illustrates attutudes toward one another.

Healthy Attitudes for a Spiritual Community I Thessalonians 5:11-28[1] 11-14-04 Intro If you had only one minute to tell someone how to help their church be healthy and spiritually vibrant, what would you say? What issues would you address? What would you tell them to do—with only one minute ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11-28

Denomination: Charismatic

Nothing Just Happens

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Aug 28, 2009

There is a secret fraternity that exists amongst those who have been in pain that,,,that is mind-boggling,,, It transcends the color of your skin.... It transcends your background.... When you have been through certain things, you feel for other people w

Nothing Just Happens Ruth 1; 6,18 6: Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. 7: Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18

Denomination: Apostolic

"Priorities" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on May 1, 2008

Sermon 11 in a study in Colossians

“Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Orthodox

Loving And Strict Discipline Eventually Gets The Job Done Series

Contributed by Tim Pollock on May 19, 2016

Sermon Series by Dr. Tim Pollock on Parenting

I believe that parents ought to have some fun and that families ought to enjoy themselves. Some parents would do well to loosen up a little. We all need to laugh. Kids should get to see dad dance around and embarrass them! Fun brings a level of connection that perhaps no other thing could. I ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:15

Denomination: Baptist

Turn The Motor Back On

Contributed by Brian Undlin on Jun 23, 2014

How we, (like the Galatian church) lose our power and joy, and how to get it back. We've all done it, allowed a "truth" other than Christ to become our focus and slowly lose the Holy Spirit's power.

Galatians. NLT Why do you expect God’s blessing on your life? (I asked them to write on a sermon guide) _____________________________________________________________________________________ ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Antidote To My Wandering Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Feb 24, 2017

If Jesus is my shepherd He invites me to follow Him on His path

What do all the following men have in common? Jacob, Samson, David, Peter, Paul and Pat Damiani? Here’s what they all have in common. They are all men who love God deeply, but who have wandered away from God at various points in their lives and had to be restored to fellowship with God. And I’d be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:3

Denomination: Baptist

What More Can You Ask?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 19, 2009

What keeps us from fulfilling Jesus’ "So send I you" mandate? Lack of information? There is the Bible. Motivation? Forgiveness is critical for all. No personal experience with Christ? Now is the time for a fresh encounter. Montgomery Hills Baptist

Some of us live in a state of perpetual unreadiness. No matter what happens, we think we are not ready. Notice how I put that. We THINK we are not ready. We may have plenty of stuff in our old kit bags. We may have assembled all that we need to accomplish whatever we are about to do, but the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Baptist